Yount Wins Gold Medal at Youth Olympic Games

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—USA Taekwondo is thrilled to announce that Kendall Yount won a gold medal earlier today at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

The lone athlete to represent USAT at the prestigious international event, Yount (Frankfort, Ky.) fought to four consecutive victories in the women’s 63kg division at the International Expo Centre, including a 4-2 triumph over Umida Abdullaeva of Uzbekistan in the gold medal match.

Overall, Yount outscored her opponents 19-10 to stand atop the podium for Team USA. In the semifinals, she defeated Ukraine’s Yuliia Miiuts by a 9-4 margin; in the quarterfinals, Yount beat Brazil’s Milena Titoneli Guimaraes in a 2-1 battle; in the round of 16, Yount outfought Italy’s Marina Rizzelli to a 4-3 decision.

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More than 3,800 competitors from 204 nations between the ages of 15 and 18 are vying for medals in 28 sports at the Youth Olympic Games, which conclude on Aug. 23. The Youth Olympic Games follow the established four-year cycle of the Olympic Games, with the Youth Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Winter Games alternating every two years.

Yount, a rising international taekwondo star, earned her spot in Nanjing in March at a Youth Olympic Games Qualifier in Chinese Tapei, fighting to a silver medal. A member of the USAT Junior National Team since 2011, the 16-year-old standout has now accrued 17 medals—14 gold medals—at international and national competitions in the junior and senior levels.

Before the start of the Youth Olympic Games, the United States Olympic Committee selected Yount as the flag bearer for the Aug. 16 opening ceremonies. She led the 92-member 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team during the parade of nations.

Check the USAT website next week for an in-depth feature story on Yount’s experiences in Nanjing, including comments from USAT National Team Assistant Coach Sherman Nelson, who is in attendance with her at the Youth Olympic Games.

For a complete listing of Yount’s bracket at the Youth Olympic Games, please click HERE.